Led by Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe set a record by scoring the highest-ever T20 total of 344 against the Gambia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier on October 23. They finished at 344/4 in their 20 overs, with Raza contributing an impressive 133 off just 43 balls.
After choosing to bat first, openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani launched an aggressive start, putting together a rapid 98-run partnership in just 5.4 overs. Marumani was the first to be dismissed, scoring 62 runs off only 19 balls.
Dion Myers came to the crease but managed to last only five deliveries, contributing 12 runs with a six and a four. Bennett followed shortly after, scoring 50 runs off 26 balls, which included seven fours and one six, before departing.
Raza was exceptional, achieving his first T20I century off just 33 balls. His innings included 15 sixes and seven fours, contributing to a staggering run rate of 17.2. He also became the first Zimbabwean to score a T20I hundred, surpassing Myers’ previous high of 96. Clive Madande remained not out with 53 off 17 balls.
All Gambian bowlers conceded more than ten runs per over, with Musa Jorbateh allowing a remarkable 93 runs in four overs. Andre Jarju was the standout bowler for Gambia, taking 2 wickets for 53 runs in four overs.
Zimbabwe surpassed Nepal’s record for the highest total in T20 cricket
As a result, Zimbabwe set the record for the highest T20 total, previously held by Nepal, who scored 314/3 against Mongolia during last year’s Asian Games. Sunrisers Hyderabad ranks third with 287/6 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2024.
The African team is currently second in the points table of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier, with three wins out of three matches. In their last game, they triumphed over Rwanda by 149 runs, scoring 240/8 and bowling them out for 91.
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